Radio program selecting apparatus



Dec. 12, 1933.

SHEET 1 FIG 1 Dec. 12, 1933. E. A. KINNEY ET AL RADIO PROGRAM SELECTING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June '7, 1933 N GE INVENTORS Patented Dec. 12, 1933' PATENT OFFICE.

RADIO PROGRAM SELECTING APPARATUS Edward A. Kinney, Watertown, and Joseph W. Galligan, Jamaica Plain, Mass.

Application June 7,1933. Serial No. 674,670

4 Claims.

I This invention relates to radio program selecting apparatus, and pertains more particularly to time-controlled devices for closing an electric cir-. cuit of a radio receiver or other electrical apparatus at predetermined intervals. The principal purpose of the invention is to provide simple, economical and eflicient mechanism, operable by a rotating shaft of an electric or mechanical clock, for closing a non-arcing switch in a radio re- 1 ceiver circuit and for holding said circuit closed during one or more selected intervals over a deflnite time period. Another object is to provide a series of convenient control buttons located around the periphery of the clock face whereby the operatingmechanism may be set for such predetermined intervals as may be chosen in advance, so that the radio will be automatically operated to receive the particular programs desired and to exclude unwanted broadcasts. Further objects reside in the structural features of the apparatus herein described and pointed out in the appended claims.

A recommended embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of the improved apparatus, showing the clock face and the control buttons;

Fig. 2 is a frontview of the frame work and essential operating mechanism of the apparatus,

the control buttonsand several of the control button bushings being omitted;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation looking tothe left of Fig. 2, with one of the control buttons in place purpose of illustration, thetime controlled apparatus comprises a horizontal shaft 2 which is mounted for rotation in a suitable framework and which preferably constitutes the hour hand shaft of a suitable timing device (not shown) such as an ordinary electric or mechanical clock. The front end of the shaft carries the hands 17 which turn over theclock face 18 (suitable gearing being provided for the minute hand) and the rear end of the shaft may be geared or connected to the clockwork or clock motor in anyusual manner.

A series of forty-eight control buttons 1 are arranged around the periphery of the clock face, and have shafts movable inwardly and outwardly in complemental bushings 15 provided in the front wall 19 of the framework. The respective the circuit-closing mechanism, any desired number of buttons are pushed inwardly at any time push buttons represent fifteen minute intervals of each hour during a twelvehour period, and are so arranged with relation to the clock face that any desired interval may be quickly and easily selected, as indicated in Fig. .1- In setting in advance of the period selected; and the buttons may be held in operating position by spring clips 20 (Fig. 3).

The inner end of each depressed button is located in the pathof movement of a shoe or cam member 16 which is fixed to a lever 12 twistable or partially rotatable in one of the arms of a spider 3 having a hub 21 fixed to the'shaft 2 as by aset screw 4. As the shaft'2 is timed to rotate once in twelve hours, the spider arm 3 and lever shoe 16 also make one complete revolution in twelve hours. The shoe is in operative position with respect to each control button for a period of fifteen minutes, the width of the cam face 22 being regulated to engage the end of a depressed push button for the stated interval.

The lever or rod 12 has an offset inner end 23 which projects rearwardly through, and is movable angularly in an opening 24 in the hollow arm 3 of the spider (the opposite arm of the spider serving merely as a counterweight). The eccentric lever end 23 engages-a collar or actuator member 25 which isvpreferably slidable along the shaft 2 and is normally urged forwardlytoward the lever by a light coil spring '7, and which preferably has a conical face 5 at its rearward end. The switch forthe radio circuit preferably consists of a mercury tube 8 supported ona cradle 26 which is pivoted at 9 to a bracket 2'7, the electrodes of the mercury switch having-pigtails, 14 in the circuit of the receiver. The cradle has an arm carrying a roller 11 which bearsupon the cone part 5 of the actuator so that the tube 8 is tilted on its pivot 9 as the actuator is moved along the shaft 2. In the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3, the circuit of the mercury tube is open; whereas in the position indicated by broken lines, the circuit is closed to operate the 100 receiver. Inoperative position is normally main- ,tained by gravity 'or by yielding means (not shown) such as a coil spring arranged on the pivot pin 9 in the usual manner.

It will be observed that the tube 8 is bent or 05 angular in shape so that, when the'switch is inoperative, the mercury is divided between the two depending ends of the tube to provide two pools 28 and 29 which .are separated by the elbow 30. The electrodes located at the opposite ends I of the tube are thus submerged in the mercury,

and the contact is made by union of the two bodies of mercury when the tube is tripped or tacts' in an electrical circuit; and the 'entire'apa paratus is compact and simple to construct and assemble. When the mechanism is in normal or inoperative position the push buttons are out the actuator is held forwardly by spring 7, allowing the mercury switch to tilt toward level position and swinging the eccentric lever end 23 forwardly to rotate the rod 12 and move the cam or shoe toward the front plate 19. The shoe will revolve upon rotation of shaft 12 without striking any control button in outward or open position, but will engage the shaft end of any depressed or closed button. Such engagement rotates the shoe and twists its lever arm to move the actuator or collar rearwardly and hence tilts the mercury switch to operative or closed position. As soon as the shoe passes the depressed push button (or series of consecutive buttons) the lever arm is released and the mechanism is restoredto normal position by spring 7. Each closed button causes the switch to remain closed for fifteen minutes as aforesaid, and the selected radio program will be heard for that interval. If successive buttons are depressed the program continues without interruption for the full period corresponding to the number of buttons which have been closed, after which the radio circuit is automatically openedi When the shaft 12 is geared to, .or forms part of the spindle of. an electric, clock motor, the wiring to the clock may be bridged across the electrical circuit to the radio receiver in ad Vance of the mercury switch, so that the current, for both clock and radio may be supplied from a single outlet.

We claim: I

1. Time-controlled mechanism for closing an electrical circuit for predetermined intervals during a time period, comprising a shaft rotatable once during said period, a switch insaid circuit,

a movable actuator for operating said switch, a member connected to and rotatable with said ing a shoe portion, and a series of control buttons corresponding in number to said time intervals, said buttons being depressible into thepath of movement of said shoe so that engagement of the shoe with a depressed button will operate said member to. move the actuator and close the switch.

2. Time controlled mechanism for closing an electrical circuit for predetermined intervals during a time period, comprising a shaft r0- tatable once during said period, a mercury switch in said circuit, a movable actuator for tilting said switch, a lever for moving the actuator, means connecting the lever to said shaft so that the lever revolves once during said time period, the lever having a shoe, and a series of control buttons corresponding in number to said time intervals and arranged in spaced circumferential relation about the axis of the shaft, said buttons being depressible into the path of movement of said shoe sothat engagement of the shoe with a depressed button will operate the lever to move the actuator'and close the switch."

' 3. Time-controlled mechanism for closing an electrical circuit for predetermined intervals during a time period, comprising a shaft rotatable once during said period, a switch in said circuit, an actuator slidable along said shaft for operating said switch,.a lever for moving the actuator, the shaft having an arm connecting the lever. thereto so that the lever revolves once during said time period, the lever'having a shoe, and a series or" control buttons corresponding in number, to said time intervals, said button bethe shaft for tilting said switch, a lever having an end engaging said actuator, an arm connecting the lever to said shaft sothat the lever revolvesonce during said time period, the lever having a shoe atits opposite end, a series of control buttons'corresponding in number to said time. intervals and arranged in spaced circumferential relationabout the axis of the shaft,

saidbuttons being depressible into the path of movement of said'shoe so that engagement of the shoe with a depressed button will twist the lever to move the actuator and close the switch,

and yielding meansior holding the actuator in inoperative position. 7

i EDWARD A. KINNEY.

JOSEPH W. GALLIGAN; 

